Author: straightnewsng.com

The Federal Government through Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) has targeted to create 15 million jobs over a four-year period. Senator Udo Udoma, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, stated this during the presentation on ERGP Focus Labs at the inauguration of the Core Teams at State House, Abuja. Udoma further stated that the government requires $245 billion to fund the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, implementation over the same period. Udoma said the amount was needed to sustain the momentum of the gains so far made from the ERGP, which recorded 1.40 per cent growth in…

Following ground-breaking DNA analysis of the remains of a man who lived 10,000 years ago, London scientists agreed Wednesday that the first modern Briton had dark skin and blue eyes. Known as “Cheddar Man” after the area in southwest England where his skeleton was discovered in a cave in 1903, the ancient man has been brought to life through the first ever full DNA analysis of his remains. In a joint project between Britain’s Natural History Museum and University College London, scientists drilled a 2mm hole into the skull and extracted bone powder for analysis. Their findings transformed the way…

An 11-year-old school pupil reportedly died after eating poisonous cassava while three other family members are said to be lying critically ill at Duste General Hospital, Jigawa state. The incident, which occurred at Kudanci quarters in Shiwarin ward of Kiyawa local government area of the state, resulted in the death of Shehu Abubakar and sickness of the boys after they had eaten poisonous cassava. The police acting on information from neighbours that four boys of the same family were suffering from serious stomach pain as a result of eating poisonous cassava quickly mobilized officers to their residence. A source said…

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Monday, stated that the federal government loses N15 billion annually to counterfeiters. Engr. John Achukwu, the former Director of the organization, made this known during stakeholders’ workshop on “Reduction of Sub-standard Products in Nigeria for South-East zone” held at Monabliss Hotel and Suites, Abakaliki, noted that the illegal activities of producers and importers of fake products have impacted negatively on the huge economic fortunes of the nation. Achukwu, while delivering paper on the topic: “Trends in Counterfeit and Sub-standard Products in Nigeria,” lamented that “the issue of sub-standard products is killing country both economically…

Hundreds of workers from the 21 local government areas of Anambra State Monday marched through major streets in Awka to protest non-passage of the local government autonomy by the state House of Assembly. The protest was a follow-up to an advocacy visit to the House by a coalition of Civil Society-Labour Alliance in Anambra State which took place last week. Shortly after the visit, the state legislature considered the amendments as passed by the National Assembly. Elder Eloka Okafor, Programme Manager of Community Empowerment Network and Comrade Jerry Nnubia, the state President of National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE,…

The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, says it will no longer allow hoarding of fuel by marketers under the guise of keeping deadstock and reserving the commodity for special customers. Speaking Monday in Abuja, Mr. Abba Misau, Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, said, “Henceforth, no petrol station should reserve fuel for special customers or under whatever guise. Any stations found doing that would be sanctioned accordingly.” Misau stated “Also, we discovered that petrol stations are keeping deadstock above the regulatory limit. Henceforth, any station found with petrol in their tanks above the regulatory limit, which is around 1,000 litres, the station…

Nigerians have described President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Nasarawa State as an act of insensitivity to the lives lost in Benue and Taraba states as a result of the clash between farmers and the Fulani herdsmen. The President arrived at Lafia, the state capital Tuesday morning and was received by the state governor, Mr Tanko Al-Makura. A Nigerian on social media with username Beremx, observed that Benue and Taraba states are not far from Nasarawa state, and advised the president to also visit the states to condole with families that have lost their loved ones to the clashes. “Nassarawa is…

Despite opposing views by Nigerians over the $1 billion Boko Haram fund,hehe Nigerian government has paid the United States government $496 millionfor the acquisition of 12 Super Tucano fighter jets to be used by the Nigerian Air Force in the ongoing military operations against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. It would be recalled that the National Economic Council had in December 2017 mandated the Federal Government to withdraw $1 billion from the $2.3 billion currently in the Excess Crude Account to fight the insurgency in the North-East. The directive had sparked outrage by Nigerians who thought that the…

Contrary to the opinion bandied by Akwa Ibom State government that the funding of International Worship Centre, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State capital would be done by Non-Governmental Organisations and individuals, the government Tuesday owned up the funding of the centre appropriated for in this year’s budget. During the foundation laying- ceremony of the project at Banking layout, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, governor Udom Emmanuel told the excited crowd that the centre would be funded by Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and other concerned individuals and friends of the state. However, in an interview with Inspiration FM, Uyo last week, Dr. Usoro…

The people of Ukanafun local government area in Akwa Ibom State are still living in constant fear following renewed killings and regular kidnappings by suspected hoodlums in the area. The latest victim is Namkere James Ben Umoh, 65, an indigene of Ikot Akpa Idem in Ukanafun who was mowed down by a three-member gang Friday night in the village. Before his death, Umoh was a staunch supporter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area and a senior brother to Kufre Umoh, a one-time Transition Chairman of Ukanafun local government area. Straightnews gathered from the family that the slain Umoh…